Born into a middle class family in Buffalo, New York, Johnson was a champion swimmer in her youth and aspired to be a lawyer. She was studying criminal justice at Northeastern University when, at the suggestion of friends, she tried her hand at modeling. She quickly landed an assignment with Glamour magazine and began working steadily.Johnson would go on to grace more than 500 magazine covers including her groundbreaking Vogue cover in August 1974. Johnson's appearance on the cover changed the beauty ideal in fashion and by 1975, every major American fashion designer began using African American models.

In addition to modeling, Johnson has also authored a book, Beverly Johnson's Guide to a Life of Health and Beauty, and embarked on an acting career. She has also had roles in Ashanti (1979), The Meteor Man (1993), Def Jam's How to Be a Player (1997), and Crossroads (2002). She has also appeared in guest spots on several television series including Law & Order, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and The Parent 'Hood. She had a brief singing carreer releasing one album in 1979 on Buddah Records.

In 2008, Johnson served as a celebrity judge on the first season of the TV Land series, She's Got the Look, a reality series where women over 35 compete for a modeling contract and magazine spread.